Minnesota Vikings CB Cedric Griffin wasn't interested in taking a pay cut to remain with the team, so the club released him Saturday, March 10. Griffin was due for $4.15 million in 2012, and had $1 million in proration remaining.

The Minnesota Vikings are optimistic about the return of CB Cedric Griffin in 2012 despite his $4.1 million salary, according to head coach Leslie Frazier. The team is likely to restructure his five-year, $28.5 million deal signed in March 2009, and the team has talked internally about switching Griffin to safety.

Minnesota Vikings CB Cedric Griffin cleaned out his locker thoroughly Monday, Jan. 2, into a garbage bag, and he refused multiple interview requests from the media. He gathered all of his personal effects, which is an indication he does not expect to return to the team in 2012.

Minnesota Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier said the team doesn't plan on releasing CB Cedric Griffin after he was benched in the first quarter of the team's Week 14 game. "Cedric is not in my doghouse," Frazier said. "He's a guy who has worked extremely hard for us and battled back from tough injuries."

Minnesota Vikings CB Cedric Griffin is expected to remain as the starter in Week 10 against the Green Bay Packers, even though CB Antoine Winfield (neck) is expected back. "(Griffin) has a good understanding of their receivers, plyed against them a lot of times," head coach Leslie Frazier said. "I think that alone, the time off (for the bye), should help him refocus and physically be at top speed."

Updating a previous item, Minnesota Vikings CB Cedric Griffin (knee) is out for the year after tearing his right anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in Week 5, according to the Pioneer Press' Jeremy Fowler.